New Zealand's best up and coming hockey internationals are
about to get a top chance to show they belong in the Black
Sticks.
The women's team arrive in Mendoza, Argentina today for the
eight-nation Champions Trophy and coach Mark Hager wants to
see his players stepping up and showing their true potential.
With senior pair Kayla Whitelock and Emily Naylor taking time
out from the game, Krystal Forgesson having retired and key
striker Katie Glynn battling ongoing knee problems, it is
important players ensure their absence is not keenly felt.
"I've been pleasantly surprised in the last two tours
(hosting the United States and Australia) how well they have
stepped up," Hager said yesterday.
"A lot of these kids have been waiting in the wings. They've
had bits and pieces and now it's their turn and I hope the
time is right for them to start performing.
"They need to show they can play a dominant role and be an
impact player on the international stage. That's the key. If
this group can do that then we are looking good for the
future."
New Zealand have just completed a series against world No 2
Australia, drawing twice and losing once, but scoring seven
goals in the process and knowing they were 17 seconds away
from levelling the series in the third game in Wellington
this week.
That experience should help the learning process though, as
the Black Sticks were unable to retain possession to see out
the remaining seconds when holding a 3-2 lead.
Take out goalkeeper Sally Rutherford (33), and captain Anita
Punt and fellow midfielder Petrea Webster (26) are the oldest
players in the group.
Time, certainly, is on their side and Hager liked much of
what he saw in the series, but acknowledged more work needs
to be done in defensive situations and capitalising on
penalty corner chances.
New Zealand, ranked fourth in the world, are grouped in pool
A with world champions the Netherlands, China and Japan. The
Black Sticks will be up against it when they face the Dutch,
whom they've never beaten, however China and Japan, who
finished sixth and 10th at the World Cup in mid-year are
certainly beatable.
They have two warmup internationals against hosts Argentina
next week, and a practice game against Germany. They will be
invaluable in getting the players immersed into tournament
thinking and strategies.
The only injury issue concerns Cantebury attacker Sophie
Cocks.She took a blow on a foot against Australia and while
MRI scans revealed no break, she's likely to play little role
in the practice matches.
The teams in pool B are Argentina, Germany, Australia and
England.
New Zealand squad for the Champions Trophy in Mendoza,
Argentina: Anita Punt (c), Aniwaka Roberts (Capital), Liz
Thompson, Julia King (Auckland), Petrea Webster (North
Harbour), Georgia Barnett, Michaela Curtis (Central), Ella
Gunson, Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal (Northland), Sam
Charlton, Sally Rutherford, Rose Keddell, Shiloh Gloyn
(Midlands), Sophie Cocks, Jordan Grant, Pippa Hayward, Olivia
Merry (Canterbury).
New Zealand schedule (all NZT):
Nov 30: v Japan
Dec 1: v Netherlands
Dec 3: v China
Classification games from December 5
- By David Leggat New Zealand Herald